Olympics kicks off with Bale controversy

The Olympics start today with Team GB women playing New Zealand in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff with Spurs Gareth Bale unavailable to play for the men's team despite taking part in a pre-season friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy.

Bale admits said he is "well ahead of schedule" after making a scoring return in Tottenham's 1-1 pre-season friendly.

The Welsh international pulled out of Team GB's Olympic 18-man squad, who start their London 2012 campaign on Thursday, because of a back injury.

The FA are next expected to lodge a complaint despite FIFA president Sepp Blatter warning injured players could be banned if they play for clubs during their Olympics.

The woman's team game The against the Football Ferns will be Team GB's first in the Olympic women's competition and coach Hope Powell is aware there will be intense interest in the fixture.

Team GB played against New Zealand in last year's World Cup in a group match that they won 2-1